Aston Villa have announced that two senior members of their coaching staff have been suspended.

Assistant manager Ian Culverhouse and football operations manager Gary Karsa - both of whom arrived at Villa Park alongside Paul Lambert in 2012 - have been told to stay away from the club while they complete an internal investigation.

The move comes following speculation that the pair clashed with senior players, believed to be Gabby Agbonlahor and Fabian Delph, ahead of the recent match against Fulham. Neither player took part in that match - which Villa lost 2-1 - but both returned to the starting XI for this weekend's loss at Crystal Palace .

The club have confirmed that former player and coach Gordon Cowans has been temporarily promoted to assist Lambert, as has experienced goalkeeper Shay Given.

Given has been a virtual bystander at Villa Park since Lambert's arrival, having lost his place to Brad Guzan, and has most recently been on loan at Championship Middlesbrough.

"I'm delighted to have Gordon and Shay to assist me in preparing the team for Saturday which is what the whole group is focused on," said Lambert.

Cowans, who has been first-team coach with the Villains for 15 years, said: "The manager has asked me to step up to assist him at this time and I'll do my utmost for the Club and the manager in helping prepare the team for Saturday's game against Southampton."

And former Republic of Ireland keeper Shay Given said: "As players, it's important that each and every one of us take responsibility right now and I'm delighted to play my part in helping the manager and the team go and try to win on Saturday."

Having seemed set for a top half finish little more than a month ago, Villa have lost their last four matches and have slipped to within four points of the relegation zone.

The club's chief executive Paul Faulkner yesterday urged the club's fans to get behind the team in their final four matches of the season.

But in the face of further struggles, and without his most trusted aides, the speculation concerning Paul Lambert's future will only intensify.